Gov. Walker: Announces $5 million in flood relief

March 22, 2011

Contact: Cullen Werwie, (608) 267-7303

Projects help businesses recover from flood damage

Madison—Governor Scott Walker today announced today that four counties and the Village of Hustisford will receive $5 million from the federal Community Development Block Grant – Emergency Assistance Program (CDBG-EAP) to fund 19 projects.

“Wisconsin’s people and businesses have shown spirit and determination in rebuilding their communities after the severe floods of 2008,” Governor Walker said. “This federal assistance will help communities repair damage and businesses recover and grow.”

The Department of Commerce (Commerce) administers the Small Cities CDBG-Emergency Assistance Program, which is funded by Supplemental Allocations for Disaster Recovery from Congress. These additional funds are intended to provide long-term mitigation assistance as businesses complete their recovery.

The projects are as follows:

Columbia County—$1,398,400

Columbia County will use its award to fund 13 business mitigation assistance projects. Among these are two daycare centers, a sheltered home, one retail business, and one service business.

Milwaukee County—$1,350,000.

Milwaukee County will use its award to support two projects. DRS Manufacturing, located in the 30th Street Corridor, suffered heavy damages during the 2008 flood. The award will inclide $250,000 directly to DRS Manufacturing to construct a flood berm, submarine doors, and a tunnel plug. The award will also include $1,100,000 for flood mitigation and management in the 30th Street Corridor, which will spur redevelopment and job creation.

Jefferson County—$1,400,000

Jefferson County will use its award to fund a business mitigation assistance project and a flood recovery economic strategic plan for the Rock River watershed. The award will include $700,000 foir the acquisition and relocation of River’s Edge Market, a meat market and catering service. The award will also include $700,000 for the flood recovery economic strategic plan, which will emphasis flood mitigation through selective bio-agricultural development and creation of businesses that would use bio-mass products.

Sauk County—$526,000

Sauk County will use its award for the construction of a floodwall at the Lakeside Foods plant in Reedsburg. Lakeside Foods was severly damaged by the 2008 flooding and was out of operation for several weeks. The floodwall will also provide flood protection for several nearby businesses.

Village of Hustiford—$319,600

The Village of Hustiford will use its award for river channel improvement to reduce flooding, which will mitigate the flooding problems experienced by E.R. Wagner Manufacturing Company in 2008, the largest employer in the Hustisford area. The improvements will also help protect the village’s electrical service and wastewater treatment plant.